What a nice track, 52 years ago … ❤

On my wife's and my first date in 1971, we went to see Rahsaan at the Village Vanguard in NYC. He got onto the floor with a wood chair and wrestled it apart. Then he tried to light it on fire with a lighter, saying, "If it gives you bad vibes, burn it!" But it was just metaphorical. He was a beautiful cat and tremendous musician whom I miss to this day.

Man....is this guy an original or what?? Bless you Rahsaan!!

My life was made even more unique and full by what this incredible artist has given me.

i have seen many musicians and i can honestly say that this man is literally one of the most talented people i have ever seen. there is nothing else to say.

THe most unkown genius ever to play a KIng SIlversonic.

I never overlooked this genius....saw him live several times...still trying to pick up my jaw....

One of our great artists and an utter original. Often dismissed as a novelty act for his multi-instrumentalism, Rahsaan's death will mark its 40th anniversary this year. And he's still largely unknown. Having had the privilege of hanging with the man a few times in the early 70s, he remains a powerful presence in my life.

That's true passion! Louis armstrong after many warnings from his doctor because of his bad heart continued to play, the duke played pretty much till his death. When music is your life your body becomes sacrificial.

To me this man is the most human sax player ever, and to me thats a feat.

Rahsaan is still an inspiration to me! He is one of God's gifts to music.

Nobody can do what Roland Kirk did. Unbelievable!

forever Kirk

Saw the man once at the Colonian Tavern in Toronto. He was a BEAST!!!

I've heard it 100 times. Seems more brilliant each time. I play those tunes too. I like to have this model in my mind.

Just beautiful. Sublime. The genius himself.

Looking back, so blessed to have met and listened to his music, very trippy dude but very approachable and real, brilliant and he swung too, not many original cats like this around anymore.

Just when you think it it the greatest thing you have ever seen/heard, he does that. Quite quite sensational. A tragic early loss. RRK rock on.

Phenomenal! Lost for words. I come back to the alter of his genius time & time again & hope to forever

He could just breathe music.

That ending is just hilariously good.

Yes!!!! Thank you!!! 1Nation4Life

Beautiful!! I saw him at Tipitinas in Ne Orleans about 1976,,, Love Him!

Robert Shy played with one of our most undervalued greats!

this guy was beyond genius-he was a force of nature-one of the greatest intuitive musicians in the history of the world-a demon, shaman, witch doctor and sadhu all in one-I can't believe I never caught him in the early seventies-damn!!!!

Breathtaking...!!!!!

Greatest video of Roland Kirk I have ever seen !

Saw Rahsaan Roland Kirk live at Paul's Mall In Boston. Was astounded.

I swear to God none are better.

he is from Cleveland, Ohio. a true genius, often overlooked in the lists of great jazz performers.

aprt from all the acrobatic trix he is an outstanding sensitive musician with this great ear for melody,powerful melody.

i remember the first time i saw him at the "jazz temple" back in the 60's in cleveland. needless to say it was a life changing experience as i was about 18 at the time,,, and he was very, very funny in his talk between songs.Thanks for this wonderful post of this Great Genius!

this is spectacular!

Lots of musicians just play the head, and solo eighth notes up and down the scale. Kirk always found some way to make it more interesting.

WOW LOOK AT HOW FAST HIS HANDS MOVE. what a unique amazing player

...i used to see all his shows at the esquire showbar in Mtl. Que(1970). He was unbelievable live!!! I just discovered this site and am i stoked!! Couple albums....the inflated tear and Volenteered slavery are so good!!

i played the alto in middle school band @ the time acdc was the most sophisticated music i listened to. i picked up the guitar in 7th grade and dropped the sax in high school. eventually my musical tastes brought me all the way to rashaan. i know im better than any guitarist you would see on television which doesnt say much. still the respect i have for sax players. . . today was the first day i listened to roland kirk im speechless. he shreds the sax wtf! any good albums by him?

No Lie. I do my math home work to jazz music. I stumbled on this song in a youtube mix. @ 2:25 I had to lift my head up. I thought my computer was messing up... This dude the truth

Just want to add that your comment is very insightful and is a telling commentary on the current state of jazz.

The best of all time.

better to be blind than have eyes and think you know what it is to be blind

fucking amazing

Circular breathing at it's best!

@Killeranime000 that must be so cool for you. props to your Grandfather. He played with one of the best. Robert Shy, remembered by me.

Man, that is one cool hat! Fantastic musician! Extremely underrated...

Rahsaan Roland Kirk, tenor; Ron Burton, piano; Henry "Pete" Pearson, bass; Robert Shy, drums. [thanks to Lester Perkins at Jazz on the Tube]

Amazing how he can play so many notes so fast while still being within the rhythm section.

The most underrated saxophonist of all time...

I was there!

This is among the most expressive music ever... incredible performance !!

TRIPSVILLE, DADDY-OH! Kirk's entire persona was an endless improvisation. Nowadays, they'd have him on meds and playing in a community band....

@gwdidg I agree, I`ve been playing sax now for 42 yrs. And experienced the same. Once in awhile , sure but Kirk was at it constantly.

This guy is hyperactive. I love how he has still got his bag (satchel) on his back. My dog loves those overtones.

Astounding stuff....

Anyone noticing Rahsaan quoting A Love Supreme there for a minute?

Killeranime000 that is so cool! I was at this show and I can say that at first I was frightened (I was only 16 yrs old lol!), then I was absolutely blown away. The way your grandpa propelled the band and kept it all groovin' was unforgettable. Peace.

Happy birthday, Rahsaan.

brilliant thanks

bellissimo.........

He quoted Love Supreme, didn't he? What an incredible performance.

He truly could play. Everything works better if it is done playfully.

@gwdidg sonny rollins and courtney pine use the technique. these chaps dont mess with music, they are music, the world is beginning to sit up and notice, this music is no joke. very serious and special and an artistic expression.

this is the funniest thing, "amaziest" thing, long may you live,,,,,,

Magic

beautiful, thank you for posting this legend

Beautiful!

thanks yoouuu for thissssss

@Garajer It too me FOREVER to find the video, but go to google video and search for "Rahsaan Roland Kirk - I Eye Aye".... it starts at the 29:30 mark :D

magic.,... magic.,...

beyond...

Hey man, your grandpa is fabulous. You must be very proud. He played with The Rahsaan...wow. As Elvin Jones said: " Coltrane was a saint. I was just lucky to play with someone that good." Ask Ben Riley about Monk.....It was a fluke that they met, but Ben was up to the task as was your Grandpa.

you free kings!!

Kirk had his sax rejigged so he could play the lower notes with one hand. It was rejigged some more when he had his stroke later in the '70's

....wow....

@Killeranime000 Saw him and this group in Boston often at the Workshop in Boston. That was some great Jazz.

Where the hell did his performance of Volunteered Slavery dissapear to? I can't find it anywhere on KZfaq and it is one of my all time favorite vids!

I hope he got some royalties from "Jethro Tull " recording his " Serenade to a Cuckoo " on their Stand Up album.

Sensational as ever. Although drifting towards the avant garde on occasion, unlike folk like Coleman, there is always adherence to the theme. Magical and outrageous, and the sort of jazz you just don't get any more. At least not in the UK where jazz seeems now to be a synonym for South American or "Rhythm and Blues". Whatever that means.

Yes, musicmanson is correct, born in Columbus. I was reading an article by his producer Joel Dorn about great performers he worked with, he must have mentioned his work playing in Cleveland. I should have checked before stating where he was from . . . Okay, he is an Ohioan of great talent. Thanks for the correction.

Bad ass!!!!

this is true

Oh well, thats too bad... Fortunately I copied it to Mp3 before they had a chance to get to it. Hopefully someone will put it back up one of these days.

@Killeranime000 Thank you for sharing this info. Your Grandfather is a magnificent drummer!!

WHen you hear that last note...you start thinking about the stroke he had soon after this time...

All those guys were following the steps of Charlie Parker - The Bird was coming out with such amazing new styles and fast playing and was on dope, heroine, they all got to thinking they needed drugs to help their 'creativity'. Sad for Charlie Parker for his life to end so young - how often is that with creative talented people! and I think John Coltrane got throat cancer - they thought that may have been all the years of often 'singing' through the sax whilst he played...

this guy, pure genius, is he still alive?

@Aggeasy it's a mash-up of two well-known ballads.

@TheHellophones Thank you!

@Killeranime000 To have a grandfather who played with these guys, Christ!

音のリョウエキ素晴らしさ Roland wide saund godsax

looks Like Roland Kirk came prepared.

If you like this! Tell me!

5:14 good song)

Fun!!

Amazing extra keys on his tenor! His timing is not all that good but he sure could do some astonishing things on all his horns. A very special and talented artist and show-man!

yeh man you should deffinatly check out The Man Who Cried Fire thats an amazing album.

woof!

I have been bitten by the sax bug, almost three years now. Should i monitor certain techniques to avoid endangering myself? The great horn players died young, but i think drugs were a large part. Roland had a stroke, i wonder if the high notes played part?

by the way, did you notice he did not take his mouth off the sax one time !

１９７２年､ﾓﾝﾄﾙｰのﾛｰﾗﾝﾄﾞ･ｶｰｸだ!～ただただ､音神アポロンに祝福あれ!～ﾐｽﾃｨｰの神のｿﾛ #jazzm